Method of using multicarboxylate compositions in enhanced oil recovery

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to the use of a multicarboxylate, such as an alkyl alkoxy dicarboxylate, in enhanced oil recovery processes. Embodiments relate to an aqueous stream and the use thereof. The aqueous stream includes a compound having the chemical formula: R1—R2—R3, wherein R1 includes a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, cyclic or non-cyclic, hydrophobic carbon chain having an oxygen atom linking R1 and R2; R2 includes an alkoxylated chain comprising ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, or a combination thereof; and R3 includes a branched or unbranched hydrocarbon chain and 2-5 —COOH or —COOM groups wherein M is a monovalent, divalent, or trivalent cation. R3 includes 2-12 carbon atoms.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of and claims priority fromU.S. application No. 16/259,247 filed Jan. 28, 2019 and issuing on Feb.15, 2022 as U.S. patent No. 11,248,158 which application is acontinuation of 15/471,255 filed Mar. 28, 2017 and issued as U.S. Pat.No. 10,233,382 which application claims priority from U.S. applicationSer. No. 14/668,147, filed on Mar. 25, 2015 and issued as U.S. Pat. No.9,976,072, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No.61/970,633, filed on Mar. 26, 2014; and U.S. Provisional Application No.61/970,578, filed on Mar. 26, 2014, and U.S. Provisional Application No.62/021,764, filed on Jul. 8, 2014. These disclosures are incorporatedherein by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to a multicarboxylate, such asan alkyl alkoxy dicarboxylate or an alkylaryl carboxylate and a methodof using the multicarboxylate in enhanced oil recovery (EOR)applications.

BACKGROUND

Alkoxy carboxylates have been used as surfactant additives in a varietyof settings, such as in shampoos, laundry detergents, and liquid dishwashing compositions. These carboxylic acid compositions have additionalpotential application as oil additives, such as in marine engines, andin situations where water emulsion formation can occur. They may alsohave cosmetic applications in combination with Guerbet esters which arehighly valued cosmetic esters for their exceptional emolliencyproperties in skin and body creams. Additionally, alkoxy carboxylatesare used in tertiary oil recovery processes. However, all such alkoxycarboxylates have only included one carboxylate group.

Reservoir systems, such as petroleum reservoirs, typically containfluids such as water and a mixture of hydrocarbons such as oil and gas.To remove (“produce”) the hydrocarbons from the reservoir, differentmechanisms can be utilized such as primary, secondary or tertiaryrecovery processes.

In a primary recovery process, hydrocarbons are displaced from areservoir through the high natural differential pressure between thereservoir and the bottom hole pressure within a wellbore. Thereservoir's energy and natural forces drive the hydrocarbons containedin the reservoir into the production well and up to the surface.Artificial lift systems, such as sucker rod pumps, electricalsubmersible pumps or gas-lift systems, are often implemented in theprimary production stage to reduce the bottom hole pressure within thewell. Such systems increase the differential pressure between thereservoir and the wellbore intake; thus, increasing hydrocarbonproduction. However, even with use of such artificial lift systems onlya small fraction of the original-oil-in-place (OOIP) is typicallyrecovered using primary recovery processes as the reservoir pressure,and the differential pressure between the reservoir and the wellboreintake declines over time due to production. For example, typically onlyabout 10-20% of the OOIP can be produced before primary recovery reachesits limit, either when the reservoir pressure is so low that theproduction rates are not economical or when the proportions of gas orwater in the production stream are too high.

In order to increase the production life of the reservoir, secondary ortertiary recovery processes can be used. Secondary recovery processesinclude water or gas well injection, while tertiary methods are based oninjecting additional chemical compounds into the well, such assurfactants and polymers. Typically in these processes, fluids areinjected into the reservoir to maintain reservoir pressure and drive thehydrocarbons to producing wells. An additional 10-50% of OOIP can beproduced through tertiary recovery processes in addition to the oilproduced during primary recovery.

While surfactants can be used as wetting agents, emulsifiers, detergentsand solubilizers, they are also utilized in various stages ofhydrocarbon recovery and processing, such as in drilling operations(e.g., drilling fluids/dispersants), reservoir injection (e.g.,fracturing fluids, enhanced oil recovery fluids), well productivity(e.g., acidizing fluids), hydrocarbon transportation, environmentalremediation, or a combination thereof.

Alkylaryl carboxylates have been used as enhanced oil recoverysurfactants, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,269,881, incorporatedherein in full by reference, with one carboxylate group. There is a needfor improved additive compositions for use in EOR applications.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the disclosure is an aqueous stream for injecting intoa subterranean reservoir for enhanced oil recovery applications. Theaqueous stream has a composition including from 0.01 to 20% by weight ofan additive compound comprising the chemical formula R₁—R₂—R₃. R₁includes a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, cyclic ornon-cyclic, hydrophobic carbon chain having an oxygen atom linking R₁and R₂; R₂ includes an alkoxylated chain comprising at least one oxidegroup selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, propyleneoxide, butylene oxide, and combinations thereof; and R₃ consists of abranched or unbranched hydrocarbon chain and 2-5 —COOH or 2-5 —COOMgroups, wherein M is a monovalent, divalent, or trivalent cation. R₃includes 2-12 carbon atoms.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is a method of enhancing oilrecovery in a subterranean reservoir. The method includes providing atleast one injection/production well pair having an injection well and aproduction well in the subterranean reservoir; injecting the aqueousstream containing the additive compound described above via theinjection well into the subterranean reservoir; and recovering oil viathe production well from the subterranean reservoir.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of surfactant-polymer slug entering asubterranean reservoir.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a drive slug entering a subterraneanreservoir following a surfactant-polymer slug.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an alkoxy multicarboxylatecompound and a method of making the alkoxy multicarboxylate. In certainaspects of the disclosure, the alkoxy multicarboxylate is used in achemically enhanced oil recovery process.

As used herein, the term “equal” refers to equal values or values withinthe standard of error of measuring such values. The term “substantiallyequal” refers to an amount that is within 3% of the value recited. Theterm “about” refers to an amount that is within 10% of the valuerecited.

As used herein, “a” or “an” means “at least one” or “one or more” unlessotherwise indicated. As used herein “multi-” or “plurality” refers to 2or more.

Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, having, etc. should beunderstood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of,consisting essentially of, comprised substantially of, etc.

“Effective amount,” when used in reference to surfactant, refers to anamount sufficient to effect an increase in oil recovery over notincluding the component. For example, an effective amount of surfactantin a surfactant-polymer (SP) slug would increase oil recovery over onlyusing the equivalent polymer slug without surfactant.

“Pore volume” or “PV” fraction as used herein refers to the total volumeof pore space in the oil reservoir that is contemplated in a sweep(contacted pore space at ASP, AP, PD mobility ratio).

“Slug,” as used herein, refers to an amount of a composition that is tobe injected into a subterranean reservoir.

“Surfactant” refers to a compound which comprises at least onehydrophilic group and at least one hydrophobic group.

“Carboxylate surfactant”, as used herein, refers to one of an alkoxydicarboxylate, an alkoxy multicarboxylate, an alkylarylmulticarboxylate, or a combination.

“Divalent cation”, as used herein, refers to HA metals of the PeriodicTable, including magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and barium (Ba). Where anamount of divalent cation, in an aqueous solution, for example, is givenin a percentage concentration, such as wt. %, the concentration ofdivalent cation is based on the weight of the cation in relation to thetotal weight of the composition of which the cation is a part.

“Turbidity” refers to the suspension of precipitates that do not readilysettle out of solution and can result in a “cloudiness.” Turbidity isdetermined by a Nepholometer that measures the relative amount of lightable to pass through a solution. Turbidity is reported as NTU(Nepholometric Turbidity Units).

A “stable polymer composition” or “stable polymer suspension” as usedherein refers to a composition comprising a polymer such aspolyacrylamide (PAM) or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (PHPA)suspension which does not undergo substantial settling after the polymerhas been suspended in water for a period of at least 2 hours, and wherethe viscosity of the top, middle and bottom of the polymer suspension ina container (e.g., a mixer or holding tank, or a beaker) varies less15%. The stability of the polymer suspension can be evaluated by visualobservation over time, or qualitatively by methods known in the artincluding light scattering and turbidity methods, for changes inturbidity of more than 25% over a period of at least 4 hours.

Alkoxy Multicarboxylates: In general embodiments of the disclosure, themulticarboxylate compound is an alkoxy multicarboxylate having thechemical formula: R₁—R₂—R₃, wherein R₁ comprises a branched orunbranched, saturated or unsaturated, cyclic or non-cyclic, hydrophobiccarbon chain having 7-150 carbon atoms; an oxygen atom linking R₁ andR₂; R₂ is an alkoxylated chain comprising alkoxy groups selected from EO(ethylene oxide), PO (propylene oxide), BO (butylene oxide), or acombination thereof; and R₃ comprises a branched or unbranchedhydrocarbon chain comprising 2-12 carbon atoms and at least twocarboxylate groups. In the acid form, the carboxylate group has themolecular formula —COOH; in ionic form, —COO—; in salt form, —COOM,where M represents a cation selected from monovalent, divalent, andtrivalent cations. In one embodiment, M is selected from Na, K, NH4, Ca,Mg, Ba, and combinations. In another embodiment, M is a water-solublecationic counter-ion such as monoethanol amine, diethanol amine ortriethanolamine. As used herein, “multicarboxylate” refers to amulticarboxylate wherein R₃ contains two or more (e.g. 2-5) COOH or—COOM carboxylate groups. In one embodiment, the alkoxy multicarboxylateis an alkoxy dicarboxylate having 2 —COOH or —COOM groups wherein M is amonovalent, divalent, or trivalent cation. In one embodiment, the alkoxymulticarboxylate is an alkoxy tricarboxylate having 3 —COOH or —COOMgroups. In one embodiment, the alkoxy multicarboxylate is an alkoxytetracarboxylate having 4 —COOH or —COOM groups.

In one embodiment, R₁ comprises 7-150 carbon atoms, and in specificembodiments comprises 13-130, 15-100, 18-90, 20-80, or 12-36 carbonatoms. An oxygen atom links R₁ and R₂. In one embodiment R₂ comprises0-80 ethylene oxide groups, 0-80 propylene oxide groups, 0-80 butyleneoxide groups, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, R₂ comprises8-190, 5-80, 10-150, 15-100, 15-90, 10-60, 15-50, 20-30, or 2-30 alkoxygroups selected from EO, PO, BO and combinations thereof, in any order.Illustrative, non-limiting multicarboxylate compounds includeR₁-(BO)₁₀-(PO)14-(EO)15-R₃ or R₁-(PO)14-(EO)15-R₃ orR₁-(BO)₁₀-(PO)14-(BO)₁₀-(EO)15-R₃. R₃ contains at least two carboxylategroups.

The following formulae illustrate three members of the family ofcarboxylates.

R₁—(CH₂CH₂—O)_(n)—CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—COO⁻Na⁺  (Formula 1)

The above illustrates the molecular formula of a carboxylate with asingle carboxylate (—COOM) group. In this example, the carboxylate groupis associated with a cation M, where M is Na⁺. R₁ in Formula 1 may beany one of a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, cyclic ornon-cyclic, hydrophobic carbon chain having 7-150 carbon atoms. Anoxygen atom links R₁ and R₂. R₂ as illustrated in Formula 1 is apolymeric chain of ethylene oxide (EO) groups, wherein n is the numberof EO groups, and can range between 2 and 40. In one embodiment, n=2; inanother embodiment, n=12; in another embodiment, n=20.

The following formula illustrates the molecular formula of adicarboxylate, having two carboxylate (—COOM) groups, with Mrepresenting the cation Na⁺.

As in Formula 1, R₂ is a polymeric chain of ethylene oxide (EO) groups,wherein n is the number of EO groups, and can range between 2 and 40.

Formula 3 illustrates the molecular formula of a tricarboxylate, havingthree carboxylate (—COOM) groups, with M representing the cation Nat

As in Formula 1, R₂ is a polymeric chain of ethylene oxide (EO) groups,wherein n is the number of EO groups, and can range between 2 and 40.

Other representative formulae of embodiments of the multicarboxylateadditive are shown below:

The alkoxy multicarboxylate may be a pure chemical or may be a mixtureof different alkoxy multicarboxylates. In some embodiments, the alkoxymulticarboxylate is between 3,000-35,000 g/mol. In specific embodiments,the alkoxy multicarboxylate is between 10,000-25,000 g/mol or12,000-20,000 g/mol.

Alkylaryl Multicarboxylate: In one embodiment, the multicarboxylatecompound is an alkylaryl multicarboxylate compound having the chemicalformula: R₁—R₂—R₃, wherein Ri comprises a branched or unbranched,saturated or unsaturated, hydrophobic carbon chain comprising 7-150carbon atoms; an oxygen atom linking R₁ and R₂; R₂ comprises an arylgroup; and R₃ comprises a branched or unbranched hydrocarbon chaincomprising 2-12 carbon atoms and 2-4 —COON, —COO⁻, or —COOM groupswherein M is a monovalent, divalent, or trivalent cation.

In one embodiment, R₁ comprises 7-150 carbon atoms, and in specificembodiments comprises 13-130, 15-100, 18-90, 20-80, or 12-36 carbonatoms. In this embodiment, R₂ comprises a phenyl group having 0-3 methyland/or ethyl group substitutions on the aromatic ring. R₃ comprises abranched or unbranched hydrocarbon chain having 2-4 carbon atoms and 2-3carboxylate groups. Each carboxylate group can be located on any of thecarbons on this carbon chain.

In some embodiments the alkylaryl multicarboxylate is between3,000-35,000 g/mol. In specific embodiments, the alkylarylmulticarboxylate is between 10,000-25,000 g/mol or 12,000-20,000 g/mol.

Uses: Compositions of the disclosure can be used as wetting agents, oiladditives, lubricants, emulsifiers, detergents, cosmetics, stabilizers,and solubilizers. They may also be utilized in various stages ofhydrocarbon recovery and processing, such as in drilling operations(e.g., drilling fluids/dispersants), reservoir injection (e.g.,fracturing fluids, recovery fluids), well productivity (e.g., acidizingfluids), hydrocarbon transportation, environmental remediation, polymerdamage remediation, or a combination thereof.

Chemically Enhanced Oil Recovery Methods: As used herein and unlessindicated otherwise, “multicarboxylate” refers to both alkoxymulticarboxylate and alkylaryl multicarboxylate. In one embodiment, themulticarboxylate composition is used as a surfactant in a chemicallyenhanced oil recovery (CEOR) process. In another embodiment, themulticarboxylate additive functions as a stabilizer in a CEOR process.

In one embodiment, the multicarboxylate composition functions as astabilizer in polymer flooding with brine solutions containing a highconcentration of divalent cations, e.g., greater than 500 ppm, and fortemperatures greater than 70° C., even when employed in an amount lessthan 2000 ppm (0.2%). In another embodiment a stabilizer, themulticarboxylate is used in an amount ranging from 200 ppm (0.02%) to1500 ppm (0.15%). Polymer flooding refers to injection streamscontaining any of associative polymers, water soluble unhydrolyzedpolyacrylam ides, or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamides (PHPA) andwith very little if any surfactant (<100 ppm). Polymer flooding can beby itself (e.g., alkaline polymer slug or AP slug), or as part ofsequence of a polymer flooding slug followed by, or following, a polymersurfactant flooding (e.g., alkaline surfactant polymer or ASP slug). Thepolymer forms precipitates in hard brine and at temperatures >70° C.,thereby limiting the application of polyacrylamides in polymer floodingat moderately high temperatures and hard brines due to plugging of theformation. Hard brines are defined as solutions containing >500 ppm ofdivalent ions. The only method to deploy PHPA under conditions of up to100° C. is to remove divalent ions content. The use of themulticarboxylate composition as a stabilizer obviates the formation ofprecipitates in the injection stream, e.g., for the injection stream tohave an NTU<20.

In one embodiment for use as a surfactant, the aqueous streamcomposition comprises 0.3-10% by weight of the multicarboxylate. Inanother embodiment, the CEOR composition comprises 0.5% to 5% by weightof the multicarboxylate as a surfactant. In yet another embodiment, theCEOR composition comprises 0.01% to 20% by weight of themulticarboxylate as a surfactant. In yet another embodiment, the CEORcomposition comprises less than 1% by weight of the multicarboxylate asa surfactant.

The alkoxy carboxylate composition is suitable for CEOR composition whenused in high temperature reservoirs, such as reservoirs above 55° C. Thealkoxy carboxylate composition can be tailored to the conditions of thereservoir needing enhanced oil recovery. For example, the compound orthe amount of the compound can be adjusted depending on the type ofreservoir or the polymer used for the EOR application. In oneembodiment, the length and branching of the alcohol portion can bedecreased or increased, the length and ratio of each BO, EO, PO portionscan be decreased or increased, and the length and positioning of thecarboxylate surfactant portion may also be increased or decreaseddepending on the reservoir properties. In another embodiment, thecomponents EO's (CH2—CH2—O) and PO's (CH(CH3)—CH2—O can be varieddepending on the polymer selected for the injection stream.

FIG. 1 is an example oil recovery system which includes injection well11 which extends to a portion of a subsurface reservoir 13 containinghydrocarbons for production, such that injection well 11 is in fluidcommunication with subsurface reservoir 13 and the hydrocarbons.Production well 15 is also in fluid communication with reservoir 13 inorder to receive the hydrocarbons. Production well 15 is positioned alateral distance away from injection well 11. For example, productionwell 15 can be positioned between 50 feet to 10,000 feet away frominjection well 11. There can be additional production wells (not shown)at predetermined locations to optimally receive the hydrocarbons beingpushed through reservoir 13 due to injections from additional injectionwells (not shown).

In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a first surfactant-polymer(SP) slug 17 is injected through the injection well 11 into reservoir13. The first SP slug 17 may be preceded by a pre-flush, such as apre-flush of softened water at any desired salinity and/or by a polymerflood. As described further below, the SP slug comprises at least acarboxylate surfactant. The first SP slug 17 disperses through reservoir13, with at least a portion thereof proceeding toward production well15.

A driver, chaser, or polymer drive slug 21 may be injected through theinjection well into the reservoir after the SP slug 17, as illustratedin FIG. 2. The polymer used in the chaser slug 21 can be the samepolymer used in the SP slug or may be different. In one embodiment,multiple chaser slugs can be injected. For example, a first chaser slugcontaining a small amount of polymer can be injected and the followed bya second chaser slug containing a larger amount of polymer.

For each reservoir operation, the optimal slug volumes may be determinedprior to injection. For example, the SP slugs may be injected into thereservoir in volumes of between 0.05 to 0.5 PV, 0.1 to 0.4 PV, or about0.1 PV. The necessary slug size can be determined through core floodingexperiments and simulation. The volume of SP slug 17 may be the equalto, or different from the volume of the chaser. The speed of injectionof the slugs may also vary depending on the reservoir operations.

The methods of the disclosure may be performed on-shore or off-shore,and may be adjusted to make the most efficient use of the location. Asan example, seawater may be used as an aqueous base for any of the slugsdescribed here, since off-shore production facilities tend to have anabundance of seawater available, limited storage space, andtransportation costs to and from off-shore site are typically high. Ifseawater is used as the aqueous base, it can be softened prior to theaddition of the alkali, polymer and/or surfactant, thereby removing anymultivalent ions, specifically Mg and Ca. Additionally, the alkali,polymer, and surfactants may be added to an aqueous base fluid in asolid form or in a solution. Solid forms may be put into solution priorto addition to the production fluid or the solid form may be directlyadded to the production fluid.

Embodiments of the disclosure can be practiced in high temperaturereservoirs, for example, greater than 50° C., greater than 55° C.,greater than 60° C., greater than 65° C., greater than 70° C., greaterthan 80° C., or greater than 90° C. In some embodiments, the temperatureof the reservoir is 15° C. to over 100° C.

Polymer: At least one polymer may be included with the multicarboxylateadditive in the CEOR composition, to control the mobility of the CEORcomposition when injected into a reservoir for enhanced oil recovery.Suitable polymers include, but are not limited to, biopolymers such asxanthan gum and scleroglucan and synthetic polymers such as watersoluble unhydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamides (HPAMs orPHPAs) and hydrophobically-modified associative polymers (APs). Alsoincluded are co-polymers of polyacrylamide (PAM) and one or both of2-acrylamido 2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (and/or sodium salt) soldunder the trademark AMPS (also more generally known as acrylamidotertiobutyl sulfonic acid or ATBS) and N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP).Molecular weights (Mw) of the polymers range from about 100,000 Daltonsto about 30,000,000 Daltons, such as about 100,000 to about 500,000, orabout 1,000,000 to about 20,000,000 Daltons. In specific embodiments ofthe disclosure the polymer is about 2,000,000 Daltons, about 8,000,000Daltons, or about 20,000,000 Daltons. The polymer and the size of thepolymer may be tailored to the permeability, temperature and salinity ofthe reservoir.

When the CEOR composition is injected as a slug into a subterraneanreservoir, effective amounts of polymer are concentrations that allowthe slug to efficiently sweep the reservoir. The required viscosity is afunction of mobility ratio. Mobility ratio (M) is defined as water (orASP) relative permeability divided by oil relative permeabilitymultiplied by oil viscosity divided by water (or ASP) viscosity(krw/kro*μo/μw). Generally, a unit mobility ratio, M=1, or lower isdesired in an ASP flood. In one example, the effective amount of polymeradded to each slug is sufficient to reduce the viscosity of eachsubsequent slug, in order obtain favorable mobility ratio throughout theentire flood process. For example, effective amounts of polymer include,but are not limited to about 250 ppm to about 5,000 ppm, such as about500 to about 2500 ppm concentration, or about 750 to 3000 ppm in orderto achieve a favorable mobility ratio under the reservoir conditions oftemperature. Different slugs may comprise different amounts of polymer.

Optional Surfactant: Surfactants may be included in the CEORcomposition, along with the multicarboxylate additive, to lower theinterfacial tension between the oil and water phase to less than about0.01 dyne/cm (for example) and thereby recover additional oil bymobilizing and solubilizing oil trapped by capillary forces.

In one embodiment, an SP slug is prepared by combining a polymer with amulticarboxylate additive and 0.1-15% by weight of at least a surfactantthat is not a multicarboxylate. Examples of surfactants that can beutilized include, but are not limited to, anionic surfactants, cationicsurfactants, amphoteric surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, or acombination thereof. Anionic surfactants can include sulfates,sulfonates, phosphates, or other carboxylates. Such anionic surfactantsare known and described in the art in, for example, U.S. Pat. No.7,770,641, which is incorporated herein by reference. Examples ofspecific anionic surfactants include internal olefin sulfonates,isomerized olefin sulfonates, alkyl aryl sulfonates, medium alcohol (Cioto C36) alkoxy sulfates, alcohol ether [alkoxy] single carboxylates, andalcohol ether [alkoxy]sulfates. Example cationic surfactants includeprimary, secondary, or tertiary amines, or quaternary ammonium cations.Example amphoteric surfactants include cationic surfactants that arelinked to a terminal sulfonate or carboxylate group. Example non-ionicsurfactants include other alcohol alkoxylates such as alkylaryl alkoxyalcohols or alkyl alkoxy alcohols. Other non-ionic surfactants caninclude alkyl alkoxylated esters and alkyl polyglycosides. In someembodiments, multiple non-ionic surfactants such as non-ionic alcoholsor non-ionic esters are combined. As a skilled artisan may appreciate,the surfactant(s) selection may vary depending upon such factors assalinity, temperature, and clay content in the reservoir. Thesurfactants can be injected in any manner such as continuously or in abatch process.

Alkali Additives: Depending on the type of reservoir, alkali may beincluded in the SP flood, making it an alkali-surfactant-polymer (ASP)flood. In one embodiment, the alkali employed is a basic salt of analkali metal from Group IA metals of the Periodic Table, such as analkali metal hydroxide, carbonate or bicarbonate. In one embodiment, thealkali is selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, sodiumbicarbonate, sodium silicate, tetrasodium EDTA, sodium metaborate,sodium citrate, and sodium tetraborate. The alkali may be used inamounts ranging from about 0.3 to about 5 weight percent of thesolution, such as about 0.5 to about 3 weight percent. As previouslydiscussed, use of the alkali maintains surfactant in a high pHenvironment, which can minimize surfactant adsorption. Alkali can alsoprotect the surfactant from hardness. Using alkali before and after anASP slug can help to minimize surfactant adsorption, as a high pHenvironment is maintained through any diffusion of an ASP slug.

Additional Additives: The CEOR composition may also include additionaladditives, such as chelators, co-solvents, reducing agents/oxygenscavengers, and biocides. Chelators may be used to complex withmultivalent cations and soften the water in the solution. Examples ofchelators include ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) which can alsobe used as an alkali, methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA). Chelants may beutilized to handle hard brines. The amount of chelant may be selectedbased on the amount of divalent ions in the slug solutions. For example,chelating agents can be used a 10:1 molar ratio with divalent cationssuch as calcium or magnesium or barium. Other chelating agents may workdepending on the brine composition and the desired pH.

Suitable co-solvents may be selected from lower carbon chain alcoholslike isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, n-propyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol,sec-butyl alcohol, n-amyl alcohol, secamyl alcohol, n-hexyl alcohol,sec-hexyl alcohol and the like; alcohol ethers, polyalkylene alcoholethers, polyalkylene glycols, poly(oxyalkylene)glycols,poly(oxyalkylene)glycols ethers or any other common organic co-solventor combinations of any two or more co-solvents. For example, in anembodiment, an ether, ethylene glycol butyl ether (EGBE), is used andmay be about 0.75 to 1.5 times the concentration of surfactant of ASPslug 21. Co-solvents, when used, may be present in an amount of about0.5 to about 6.0 weight percent of the solution, such as from about 0.5to about 4.0 weight percent, or about 0.5 to about 3 weight percent.

Reducing agents/oxygen scavengers such as sodium dithionite may be usedto remove any oxygen in the mixture and reduce any free iron into Fe²⁺.They can be used to protect synthetic polymers from reactions thatcleave the polymer molecule and lower or remove viscosifying abilities.A reduced environment can also lower surfactant adsorption.

Biocides can be used to prevent organic (algal) growth in facilities,stop sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) growth which “sour” the reservoirby producing dangerous and deadly H₂S, and are also used to protectbiopolymers from biological life which feed on their sugar-likestructures and therefore remove mobility control. Biocides includealdehydes and quaternary ammonium compounds.

EXAMPLES

The following illustrative examples are intended to be non-limiting.

Example 1 Alkoxy Dicarboxylate Synthesis

An alkoxy dicarboxylate is prepared using a two-step procedure. A sodiumchloro acid salt is synthesized from a chloro acid compound comprisingtwo carboxylates, such as a succinate. This reaction is conducted in aseparate glass vessel with the product dried prior to addition to thesurfactant step. The sodium chloro acetate group is then added to thealkyl alkoxy alcohol. This step synthesizes the alkoxy dicarboxylatesurfactants. The process involves reacting alkyl alkoxy alcohols, forexample, with a strong base to generate an anion on the alkoxy alcohol(loss of H+to strong base) which then displaces the chloride group fromthe added sodium chloro carboxylic salt to insert the carboxylate groupson to the alkoxy alcohol. The chemical mechanism for the reaction is anSN2 displacement. The reaction operating conditions range from roomtemperature to 150° C. at from 0 to 10 inches of mercury vacuum. Thereactor for the second step has electronic controls for temperature andvacuum control with manual valves for gas blanketing. The reactants arecharged to the reactor prior to heating. A cold trap is used to collectthe tertiary butanol that is formed by the strong base as well assolvents to keep the reactants in solution. All electrical equipment isplugged into a temperature controller that is powered by a hoodreceptacle. The vacuum is controlled by a vacuum system monitor.

Example 2 Alkoxy Dicarboxylate Synthesis

In this example, 1.1 moles of potassium tert-butoxide is reacted with 1mole of alkyl ethoxylate propoxylate C₁₀₋₁₈ alcohol at 45° C. for 1 hourwhile stirring at reduced pressure of 17 mm Hg. Tertiary butanol that ispulled off is collected in a dry ice/acetone trap. Then, 1.1 moles ofsodium chlorosuccinate dissolved in 100 mL DMSO is added to the alkylethoxylate propoxylate C10-18 alcohol/potassium t-butoxide mixture. Thereaction temperature is increased to 90° C. and the pressure againreduced to about 17 mm Hg. The reaction mixture is stirred under theseconditions over night or until liquid is no longer being collected inthe dry ice/acetone mixture. The alkyl ethoxy propoxy succinate isisolated by ether and water extraction. The % conversion is greater than90%.

Example 3 Alkoxy Multicarboxylate Synthesis

An alkoxy multicarboxylate is prepared using a two-step procedure. Asodium chloro multi-acid salt reagent is synthesized from a chloro acidcompound. This reaction is conducted in a separate glass vessel with theproduct dried prior to addition to the surfactant step. A sodium chloromulticarboxylate group is then added to the alkyl alkoxy alcohol.

This step synthesizes the alkoxy multicarboxylate surfactants. Theprocess involves reacting alkyl alkoxy alcohols with a strong base togenerate an anion on the alkoxy alcohol (loss of H⁺ to strong base)which then displaces the chloride group from the added sodium chloromulticarboxylic salt to insert the carboxylate groups. The chemicalmechanism for the reaction is an SN2 displacement. The reactionoperating conditions ranges from room temperature to 150° C. at from 0to 10 inches of mercury vacuum. The reactor for the second step haselectronic controls for temperature and vacuum control with manualvalves for gas blanketing. The reactants are then charged to the reactorprior to heating. A cold trap is used to collect the tertiary butanolthat is formed by the strong base as well as solvents to keep thereactants in solution. All electrical equipment is plugged into atemperature controller that is powered by a hood receptacle. The vacuumis controlled by a vacuum system monitor.

Example 4 Alkoxy Tricarboxylate Synthesis

In this example, 1.1 moles of potassium tert-butoxide is reacted with 1mole of alkyl ethoxylate propoxylate C₁₀₋₁₈ alcohol at 45° C. for 1 hourwhile stirring at reduced pressure of 17 mm Hg. Tertiary butanol that ispulled off is collected in a dry ice/acetone trap. Then, 1.1 moles ofsodium chloro 1,2,3-propanetricarboxylate dissolved in 100 mL DMSO isadded to the alkyl ethoxylate propoxylate C₁₀₋₁₈ alcohol/potassiumt-butoxide mixture. The reaction temperature is increased to 90° C. andthe pressure again reduced to about 17 mm Hg. The reaction mixture isstirred under these conditions over night or until liquid is no longerbeing collected in the dry ice/acetone mixture. The alkyl ethoxy propoxytricarboxylate is isolated by ether and water extraction. The %conversion is greater than 90%.

Example 5 Alkoxy Tetracarboxylate Synthesis

In this example, 1.1 moles of potassium tert-butoxide is reacted with 1mole of alkyl ethoxylate propoxylate C₁₀₋₁₈ alcohol at 45° C. for 1 hourwhile stirring at reduced pressure of 17 mm Hg. Tertiary butanol that ispulled off is collected in a dry ice/acetone trap. Then, 1.1 moles ofsodium chloro 1,1,2,3-propanetetracarboxylate dissolved in 100 mL DMSOis added to the alkyl ethoxylate propoxylate C₁₀₋₁₈ alcohol/potassiumt-butoxide mixture. The reaction temperature is increased to 90° C. andthe pressure again reduced to about 17 mm Hg. The reaction mixture isstirred under these conditions over night or until liquid is no longerbeing collected in the dry ice/acetone mixture. The alkly ethoxy propoxytetracarboxylate is isolated by ether and water extraction. The %conversion is greater than 90%.

Example 6 Alkylaryl Multicarboxylate Synthesis

An alkylaryl multicarboxylate is synthesized as follows. A slight excessof (1.1 moles base:1 mole of substituted phenol) potassium t-butoxide isreacted with a guerbet/phenol compound at about 45° C. under reducedpressure of 17 mm Hg for 2 hours. Tertiary butanol is removed andcollected in a dry ice/isopropanol trap. Then a slight excess (1.1:1,for example) of chloro multicarboxylate (e.g. succinate) is added to thephenol mixture. The reaction temperature is increased to about 90° C. ata pressure of less than or equal to 17 mm Hg pressure overnight. Themulticarboxylate material is separated by lowering the solution pH toabout 3 with acid solution and heating the mixture to 90° C. The upperlayer of the resulting mixture is collected. Changing the pH to about 8with NaOH yields the salt form of the multicarboxylate.

Example 7 Analysis of Dicarboxylate

A sample of dicarboxylate was synthesized as described above. Theproduct from the reaction of both chloro acetate or chloro succinatewith a nonionic alkoxy alcohol yield products with either one (acetate)or two acid (succinate) terminal groups.

IR (4000-600 Wavenumbers transmittance): The acetate product has a broadcarbonyl singlet shifted to lower wavenumbers indicating a lowering ofbond strength. However, the succinate product has doublet carbonyl peak.One peak of the doublet is close to the starting chloro succinate whilethe second is at a lower wavenumber similar to the acetate product. Thedoublet may also indicate the proximity of the alkoxy groups to one acidgroup vs. the second or terminal acid group.

HPLC (Column: Zorbax SB-C8 4.6×250 mm, 5 um, Mobil Phase: 90% H₂O, 10%acetonitrile, 8 gm phosphorus acid, Detector: Agilent Diode ArrayDetector G4212A/B): The product from the chloro acetate reaction isshifted by 1.5 minutes to shorter retention on the column indicatingless chromatographic separation with the polar mobile phase than thechloro acetate reactant. The chloro succinate product has a similarretention time to the acetate product due to the presence of the alkoxygroups which affects the chromatographic separation more than theaddition of a second acid group. However, the product retention time isonly 0.6 minutes shorter than the chloro succinate reactant indicatingthat the two acid groups are separated even less with the polar mobilephase.

Both the IR and HPLC results indicate that an alcohol alkoxylateddicarboxylate is synthesized using the described methods.

Example 8 Comparative Example

A solution of hard brine (containing >500 ppm) containing partiallyhydrolyzed polyacrylamide (PHPA) at a concentration of 2000 ppm and at atemperature of >70° C. is provided. It is observed that PHPA in thepresence of >500 ppm divalent ions forms a solid precipitate(flocculates) in solution, with NTU>20. If this hard brine containingPHPA is used for in polymer flooding at moderately high temperatures, itis expected to plug the formation.

Example 9 Comparative Example

Example 8 is repeated except the PHPA concentration is 1000 ppm. It isobserved that solid precipitate (flocculates) still forms in thesolution, with NTU>20.

Example 10 Comparative Example

Example 8 is repeated, except that the divalent ions content is removed(to be less than 100 ppm) prior to the addition of PHPA. No precipitateis formed. NTU is <20.

Example 11 Addition of Stabilizer

Example 8 is repeated with field brines at 120° C. under anaerobicconditions (solutions degassed and sealed in glass ampoules) withseveral divalent chelating chemicals. No precipitation occurred (andNTU<20) with the addition of alkoxylated carboxylate as an additive for9 hours at 120° C. The additive has a formula of R(28carbons)-O—(CH2—CH2—O)25-COO—Na+. The concentrations of the surfactantwere 0.15% (1500 ppm) and 0.05% (500 ppm). These surfactantconcentrations are much lower than the same surfactant used in asurfactant oil flood which ranges from 1-2%.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the invention will be describedhereinafter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatthe conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readilyutilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures forcarrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should alsobe realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalentconstructions do not depart from the scope of the invention as set forthin the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to becharacteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and methodof operation, together with further objects and advantages will bebetter understood from the following description when considered inconnection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expresslyunderstood, however, that each of the figures is provided for thepurpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as adefinition of the limits of the present invention.

For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unlessotherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, percentages orproportions, and other numerical values used in the specification andclaims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by theterm “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, thenumerical parameters set forth in the following specification andattached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon thedesired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. It isnoted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the,” include plural references unlessexpressly and unequivocally limited to one referent. As used herein, theterm “include” and its grammatical variants are intended to benon-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to theexclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to thelisted items.

All citations referred herein are expressly incorporated herein byreference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of enhancing oil recovery in asubterranean reservoir, comprising: injecting an aqueous stream via awell into the subterranean reservoir, wherein the aqueous stream has acomposition comprising water and: from 0.01 to 20% by weight of anadditive compound comprising the chemical formula: R₁—R₂—R₃, wherein: R₁comprises a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, cyclic ornon-cyclic, hydrophobic carbon chain having an oxygen atom linking R₁and R_(2;) R₂ comprises an alkoxylated chain comprising at least oneoxide group selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide,propylene oxide, butylene oxide, and combinations thereof; and R₃comprises a branched or unbranched hydrocarbon chain and 2-5 —COOH or2-5 —COOM groups, wherein M is a monovalent, divalent, or trivalentcation, and wherein R₃ comprises 2-12 carbon atoms.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the additive compound is present in the aqueous streamin an amount ranging from 200 ppm (0.02%) to 1500 ppm (0.15%).
 3. Themethod of claim 15, wherein: R₁ comprises 7-150 carbon atoms; R₂comprises from 0 to 80 ethylene oxide groups, from 0 to 80 propyleneoxide groups, and from 0 to 80 butylene oxide groups; R₃ comprises anyof 2, 3, or 4 —COOH or 2, 3, or 4 —COOM groups; and M comprises Na, K,NH₄, Ca, Mg, or Ba.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein: R₁ comprises7-150 carbon atoms; R₂ comprises an aryl group; R₃ comprises any of 2,3, or 4 —COOH or 2, 3, or 4 —COOM groups; and M comprises Na, K, NH₄,Ca, Mg, or Ba.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition furthercomprises from 250 to 5000 ppm of a polymer.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein the composition further comprises a polymer selected from thegroup consisting of xanthan gum, scleroglucan, water solubleunhydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylam ides,hydrophobically-modified associative polymers, co-polymers ofpolyacrylamide, 2-acrylamido 2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and itssodium salt, N-vinyl pyrrolidone, and combinations thereof.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises from 0.3 toabout 5 weight percent of an alkali.
 8. The method of claim 1, whereinthe composition further comprises an alkali selected from the groupconsisting of sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium silicate,tetrasodium EDTA, sodium metaborate, sodium citrate, sodium tetraborate,and combinations thereof.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein thecomposition further comprises from 0.5 to about 6.0 weight percent of aco-solvent.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition furthercomprises a co-solvent selected from the group consisting of isopropylalcohol, ethanol, n-propyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, sec-butyl alcohol,n-amyl alcohol, sec-amyl alcohol, n-hexyl alcohol, sec-hexyl alcohol,alcohol ethers, polyalkylene alcohol ethers, polyalkylene glycols,poly(oxyalkylene)glycols, poly(oxyalkylene)glycol ethers, andcombinations thereof.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the compositionfurther comprises from 0.1 to 15 weight percent of a surfactant that isnot a multicarboxylate.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein thecomposition further comprises a surfactant that is not amulticarboxylate selected from the group consisting of anionicsurfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, non-ionicsurfactants and combinations thereof.
 13. The method of claim 1, whereinthe composition further comprises a surfactant that is not amulticarboxylate selected from the group consisting of sulfates,sulfonates, and combinations thereof.
 14. The method of claim 1, whereinthe composition further comprises a component selected from the groupconsisting of a polymer, an alkali, a co-solvent, a surfactant that isnot a multicarboxylate, and combinations thereof.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the component is selected from the group consisting offrom 250 to 5000 ppm of the polymer, from 0.3 to about 5 weight percentof the alkali, from 0.5 to about 6.0 weight percent of the co-solvent,from 0.1 to 15 weight percent of the surfactant that is not themulticarboxylate, and combinations thereof.
 16. The method of claim 1,wherein the well is an injection well.
 17. The method of claim 16,further comprising recovering oil from the subterranean reservoir. 18.The method of claim 1, wherein the oil is recovered via a productionwell.